Plant Comparison
Wormwood vs Caraway
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Wormwood and Caraway: they share 5 indicated uses (bloating, cancer (anticancer research), indigestion, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Wormwood | Caraway | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloating | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Intensely bitter sesquiterpene lactones responsible for the classic digestive-bitter action.
Volatile oil containing thujone (alpha- and beta-isomers), the neurotoxic ketone that limits safe internal use, along with other monoterpenes.
Antioxidant constituents contributing to the plant's antioxidant activity.
Seed essential oil dominated by carvone (giving the characteristic caraway aroma) and limonene, responsible for much of the carminative and antimicrobial activity.
Minor antioxidant constituents of the seed and aerial parts.
Pharmacological Actions
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) total flavonoids and its constituent alpha/beta-thujone induce ROS- and caspase-mediated apoptosis in cervical and choriocarcinoma cancer cells (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antidiabetic action
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) total flavonoids (cynaroside, astragalin) inhibit HeLa cervical cancer cells via ROS-mediated apoptosis, and its terpenoid alpha,beta-thujone induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in choriocarcinoma cells and sensitizes them to paclitaxel (preclinical).
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from appetite-stimulant action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
CAUTION: Contains thujone, which is neurotoxic in significant amounts. Internal use should be limited in duration and dose — short-term use only (under 4 weeks). Contraindicated in pregnancy (powerful uterine stimulant). Avoid in epilepsy, renal disease, and in children. The small amounts present in properly prepared bitter tinctures and vermouth are generally considered safe. The thujone content of absinthe was historically exaggerated.
Duke (2002) rates wormwood as + (use with caution) and provides clinical evidence (score 2) for use as an aperitif and bitter digestive tonic, consistent with Commission E approval for dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite. The plant contains absinthin and artabsin (bitter sesquiterpene lactones) responsible for digestive stimulation, and also thujone — a neurotoxic ketone that is the active agent responsible for 'absinthism' (historical neurological syndrome linked to absinthe consumption). Duke strongly cautions that thujone content limits safe long-term use, and wormwood should not be taken internally for more than 4 weeks at a time. Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy (abortifacient, neurotoxic) and epilepsy (Duke, 2002).
Generally very safe as a food spice (normal culinary amounts).Tea (traditional use): The EU herbal monograph describes caraway fruit tea for bloating/flatulence and gives a typical adult infusion dose of 0.5–2 g in 150 ml hot water, 1–3× daily; if symptoms last >2 weeks, seek medical advice. Allergy caution: Avoid if you’re allergic to Apiaceae family plants (e.g., fennel, anise, celery, coriander, dill) or have known cross-allergies (the monograph also mentions mugwort/birch allergy). Gallbladder/bile problems: Not recommended if you have gallstones or other biliary disorders (caraway can stimulate bile flow). Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Safety isn’t well established for medicinal dosing, so not recommended as a “treatment” during pregnancy/lactation (food use is a different story). Children: The EU monograph does not recommend medicinal use under 12 due to lack of data. Essential oil caution: Caraway essential oil is highly concentrated—don’t self-dose internally; it can irritate and is easy to overdo.
Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for caraway as an appetite stimulant, cough suppressant, cholagogue, and bronchitis remedy, consistent with Commission E approvals. It demonstrates anti-Candida activity and antispasmodic effects on gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Recommended dose: 1.5–6 g of fruit daily, or 3–6 drops of essential oil. The herb is classified as generally safe with no known hazards at therapeutic doses, though it should be used cautiously in pregnancy due to mild emmenagogue activity (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Aromatic, silvery-grey perennial herb with finely divided, silky-hairy leaves and numerous small, pale yellow, drooping, globe-shaped flower heads borne in loose branched panicles. The whole plant has a characteristic intensely bitter taste and a pungent, sage-like aroma.[4]
Biennial (occasionally annual) herb with finely divided, feathery, carrot-like leaves similar to those of other Apiaceae. In its second year it sends up a branched, grooved, hollow flowering stem topped with flat compound umbels of small white or pinkish flowers, followed by the characteristic curved, ridged, strongly aromatic seeds (the familiar rye-bread spice).[4]
Habitat
Grows on dry, sunny, stony or waste ground, roadsides and field margins; native to Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia, and naturalised in North America.[4]
Grows in meadows, grassy roadsides and waste ground on well-drained soils; native to Europe and Western Asia and widely cultivated as a spice crop.
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts (leaf, stem and flower) are cut as flowering begins, in mid- to late summer, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[4]
The seed is harvested in mid- to late summer of the second year, once the umbels have browned and dried, then threshed and dried further; leaves can be picked through the first year and the root dug in autumn of year one or spring of year two.
Traditional Uses
Caraway seed is one of the classic Apiaceae carminative digestive spices, used traditionally for indigestion, bloating, flatulence and poor appetite, and, per the EU herbal monograph, for symptomatic relief of mild digestive complaints and bloating.[4]
Preparations
Dosage
Because of its thujone content, traditional herbal references limit internal use to small bitter doses (around 0.5-1 g dried herb per cup) for no more than about 4 weeks at a time. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph describes traditional use of about 0.5-2 g crushed fruit (seed) per 150 mL hot water, 1-3 times daily, in adolescents, adults and elderly; not recommended under 12 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Batiha, G.E.S., Olatunde, A., El-Mleeh, A., Hetta, H.F., Al-Rejaie, S. et al (2020) 'Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Actions, and Pharmacokinetics of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)', Antibiotics (Basel), 9(6), pp. 353. doi:10.3390/antibiotics9060353 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9060353 - Wubuli, A., Abdulla, R., Zhao, J., Wu, T. and Aisa, H.A (2024) 'Exploring anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-related quality markers of Artemisia absinthium L. based on spectrum-effect relationship', Phytochemical Analysis, 35(5), pp. 1152-1173. doi:10.1002/pca.3350 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.3350 - Rashidi, R., Akaberi, M., Gholoobi, A., Ghazavi, H. and Forouzanfar, F (2023) 'Artemisia absinthium Extract Attenuates the Quinolinic Acid-Induced Cell Injury in OLN-93 Cells', Current Drug Discovery Technologies, 20(4), pp. e300323215213. doi:10.2174/1570163820666230330105331 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1570163820666230330105331 - Szopa, A., Pajor, J., Klin, P., Rzepiela, A., Elansary, H.O., Al-Mana, F.A., Mattar, M.A. and Ekiert, H (2020) 'Artemisia absinthium L. - Importance in the History of Medicine, the Latest Advances in Phytochemistry and Therapeutical, Cosmetological and Culinary Uses', Plants, 9(9), pp. 1063. doi:10.3390/plants9091063 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9091063 - Hbika, A., Daoudi, N.E., Bouyanzer, A., Bouhrim, M., Mohti, H., Loukili, E.H., Mechchate, H., Al-Salahi, R., Nasr, F.A., Bnouham, M. and Zaid, A (2022) 'Artemisia absinthium L. Aqueous and Ethyl Acetate Extracts: Antioxidant Effect and Potential Activity In Vitro and In Vivo against Pancreatic alpha-Amylase and Intestinal alpha-Glucosidase', Pharmaceutics, 14(3), pp. 481. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics14030481 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14030481 - Bagheri, F., Amri, J., Salehi, M., Karami, H., Alimoradian, A. and Latifi, S.A (2020) 'Effect of Artemisia absinthium ethanolic extract on oxidative stress markers and the TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 genes expression in the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats', Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation, 41(4), pp. 20200028. doi:10.1515/hmbci-2020-0028 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2020-0028 - Al-Malki, A.L (2018) 'Shikimic acid from Artemisia absinthium inhibits protein glycation in diabetic rats', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 122, pp. 1212-1216. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.072 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.072 - Boeing, T., de Souza, J., Vilhena da Silva, R.C., Mariano, L.N.B., Mota da Silva, L., Gerhardt, G.M., Cretton, S., Klein-Junior, L.C. and de Souza, P (2023) 'Gastroprotective effect of Artemisia absinthium L.: A medicinal plant used in the treatment of digestive disorders', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 312, pp. 116488. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116488 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116488 - Liu, Z., Li, X., Jin, Y., Nan, T., Zhao, Y., Huang, L. and Yuan, Y (2023) 'New Evidence for Artemisia absinthium as an Alternative to Classical Antibiotics: Chemical Analysis of Phenolic Compounds, Screening for Antimicrobial Activity', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(15), pp. 12044. doi:10.3390/ijms241512044 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241512044 - Moaca, E., Pavel, I.Z., Danciu, C., Crainiceanu, Z., Minda, D., Ardelean, F., Antal, D.S., Ghiulai, R., Cioca, A., Derban, M., Simu, S., Chioibas, R., Szuhanek, C. and Dehelean, C (2019) 'Romanian Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.): Physicochemical and Nutraceutical Screening', Molecules, 24(17), pp. 3087. doi:10.3390/molecules24173087 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24173087 - Turak, A., Shi, S., Jiang, Y. and Tu, P (2014) 'Dimeric guaianolides from Artemisia absinthium', Phytochemistry, 105, pp. 109-114. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.06.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.06.016 - Correa-Ferreira, M.L., Noleto, G.R. and Oliveira Petkowicz, C.L (2013) 'Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris: a comparative study of infusion polysaccharides', Carbohydrate Polymers, 102, pp. 738-745. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.10.096 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.10.096 - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Medical%20Herbalism - Lee, J.-Y. and Park, H. and Lim, W. and Song, G (2020) 'alpha,beta-Thujone suppresses human placental choriocarcinoma cells via metabolic disruption', Reproduction, 159(6), pp. 745-756. doi:10.1530/REP-20-0018 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-20-0018 - He, M. and Yasin, K. and Yu, S. and Li, J. and Xia, L (2023) 'Total Flavonoids in Artemisia absinthium L. and Evaluation of Its Anticancer Activity', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(22), pp. 16348. doi:10.3390/ijms242216348 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216348 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
- Keshavarz, A., Minaiyan, M., Ghannadi, A. and Mahzouni, P (2013) 'Effects of Carum carvi L. (Caraway) extract and essential oil on TNBS-induced colitis in rats', Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8(1), pp. 1-8. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24459470/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24459470/ - Ghannay, S., Aouadi, K., Kadri, A. and Snoussi, M (2022) 'GC-MS Profiling, Vibriocidal, Antioxidant, Antibiofilm, and Anti-Quorum Sensing Properties of Carum carvi L. Essential Oil: In Vitro and In Silico Approaches', Plants (Basel), 11(8), pp. 1072. doi:10.3390/plants11081072 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11081072 - Trifan, A., Aprotosoaie, A.C., Cioancă, O., Hăcianu, M. et al (2016) 'Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil From Carum carvi L. Cultivated in North-Eastern Romania', Revista Medico-Chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Iasi, 120(3), pp. 732-736. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30152663/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30152663/ - Keshavarz, A., Minaiyan, M., Ghannadi, A. and Mahzouni, P (2013) 'Effects of Carum carvi L. (Caraway) extract and essential oil on TNBS-induced colitis in rats', Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8(1), pp. 1-8. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Effects%20of%20Carum%20carvi%20L.%20%28Caraway%29%20extract%20and%20essential%20oil%20on%20TNBS-induced%20colitis%20in%20rats - Liu, C., Cheng, F., Aisa, H.A. and Maiwulanjiang, M (2023) 'Comprehensive Study of Components and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oil Extracted from Carum carvi L. Seeds', Antibiotics, 12(3), pp. 591. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12030591 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030591 - Mardani, M., Afra, S.M., Tanideh, N., Tadbir, A.A., Modarresi, F., Koohi-Hosseinabadi, O., Iraji, A. and Sepehrimanesh, M (2015) 'Hydroalcoholic extract of Carum carvi L. in oral mucositis: a clinical trial in male golden hamsters', Oral Diseases, 22(1), pp. 39-45. doi:10.1111/odi.12375 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.12375 - Iacobellis, N.S., Lo Cantore, P., Capasso, F. and Senatore, F (2005) 'Antibacterial activity of Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi L. essential oils', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53(1), pp. 57-61. doi:10.1021/jf0487351 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0487351 - Trifan, A., Aprotosoaie, A.C., Cioanca, O., Hacianu, M., Jitareanu, A., Gille, E. and Miron, A (2016) 'Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil From Carum Carvi L. Cultivated in North-Eastern Romania', Revista Medico-Chirurgicala, 120(3), pp. 732-736. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Antioxidant%20Activity%20of%20Essential%20Oil%20From%20Carum%20Carvi%20L.%20Cultivated%20in%20North-Eastern%20Romania - Wajidi, M., Vaid, F.H., Rizwani, G.H., Faiyaz, A., Shareef, H., Akram, A. and Ahmed, A (2019) 'Anti-Oxidant and digestive enzymes inhibitory based anti diabetic activity of crude and fractions of Carum carvi L. extracts', Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 32(6), pp. 2687-2695. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Anti-Oxidant%20and%20digestive%20enzymes%20inhibitory%20based%20anti%20diabetic%20activity%20of%20crude%20and%20fractions%20of%20Carum%20carvi%20L.%20extracts - Kamaleeswari, M. and Nalini, N (2006) 'Dose-response efficacy of caraway (Carum carvi L.) on tissue lipid peroxidation and antioxidant profile in rat colon carcinogenesis', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 58(8), pp. 1121-1130. doi:10.1211/jpp.58.8.0014 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1211/jpp.58.8.0014 - Maurya, A., Kumar, S., Singh, B.K., Chaudhari, A.K., Dwivedy, A.K., Prakash, B. and Dubey, N.K (2021) 'Mechanistic investigations on antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities of chemically characterised Carum carvi L. essential oil against fungal infestation and aflatoxin contamination of herbal raw materials', Natural Product Research, 36(17), pp. 4569-4574. doi:10.1080/14786419.2021.1994566 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2021.1994566 - Nasiri, S., Shams Ghahfarokhi, M. and Razzaghi Abyaneh, M (2020) 'Effect of Carum carvi essential oil on gene expression and virulence factors in Candida albicans', Current Medical Mycology, 6(2), pp. 30-36. doi:10.18502/CMM.6.2.3628 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.18502/CMM.6.2.3628 - Aldakhil, T., Alshammari, S.O., Siraj, B., El-Aarag, B., Zarina, S., Salehi, D. and Ahmed, A (2023) 'The structural characterization and bioactivity assessment of nonspecific lipid transfer protein 1 (nsLTP1) from caraway (Carum carvi) seeds', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 23(1), pp. 254. doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04083-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04083-9 - Hajlaoui, H., Arraouadi, S., Noumi, E., Aouadi, K., Adnan, M., Khan, M.A., Kadri, A. and Snoussi, M (2021) 'Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-Acetylcholinesterase, Antidiabetic, and Pharmacokinetic Properties of Carum carvi L. and Coriandrum sativum L. Essential Oils Alone and in Combination', Molecules, 26(12), pp. 3625. doi:10.3390/molecules26123625 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26123625 - European Medicines Agency (2014) 'European Union herbal monograph on Carum carvi L., fructus'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=European%20Union%20herbal%20monograph%20on%20Carum%20carvi%20L.%2C%20fructus - Johri, R.K (2011) 'Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi: an update', 5(9), pp. 63--72. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.79101 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.79101 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources 'Herb Study - Caraway'. Available at: https://ucanr.edu/blog/garden-notes/article/herb-study-caraway Traditional / reference
https://ucanr.edu/blog/garden-notes/article/herb-study-caraway - King County Noxious Weeds (2024) 'Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) identification and control'. Available at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock Traditional / reference
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock - Dayan, A.D (2024) 'Death of Socrates: a likely case of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) poisoning', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(1), pp. 56-60. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 - Grow Forage Cook Ferment 'Poison Hemlock: How to Identify and Potential Look-alikes'. Available at: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/ Traditional / reference
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.